Eric Loveday - Autoblog

Next year, the Tesla Model S will hit dealerships across the globe. Then, the crossover Model X will bow, likely followed by a convertible based on the Model S platform. But beyond that, Tesla Motors has taken to the tight-lipped approached. That is, until now.

It's not much, but Americans are using more fuel this year than last year. Numbers released by the American Petroleum Institute show that U.S. petroleum deliveries increased by 2.5 percent in September 2011, compared to September 2010. API chief economist John Felmy – always the economist, that's for sure – released this statement:

It's coming in 2010. Scratch that. How about 2011? Oh shucks, that's impossible, too. Let's shoot for 2012. BYD Auto constantly alters the U.S. launch date of the electric e6 crossover. But this latest bit of info should relieve us of reporting further delays.

DC quick-charge stations are robust units that promise to recharge plug-in vehicles from zero to 80-percent capacity in less than 30 minutes. While not required for EVs to work, these units make the concept of cross-country-capable electric vehicles believable and long distance electric-only journeys doable.

We expect a lot of truck-lovin' Texans will welcome the state's latest automotive dealership showplace with little more than a cursory glance. But for Texas' electric vehicle enthusiasts, the opening of a gallery in Houston will likely spark sheer delight.

The list of awards is starting to pile up for the Nissan Leaf. The Japanese automaker's bookshelf is teaming with awards with titles that read 2011 European Car of the Year award, 2010 Green Car Vision, 2011 World Car of the Year and so on.

Our buds over at Translogic recently interviewed one of the most influential and passionate individuals of our time, Elon Musk. Translogic spoke with Musk about many things, but this first interview focuses solely on SpaceX (a video about Tesla Motors should be coming soon). If you haven't heard much about Musk's aerospace outfit, it is equally, if not more, innovative than Tesla.

The SkyActiv plan is moving along as expected. To wit: the next little glimmer of drivetrain electrification that we will see when Mazda debuts its next-generation mid-size Takeri concept at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show in late November. The car's Kodo design language could be a preview of the next-gen Mazda6, but it's what's under the new sheetmetal that is more interesting.

The 2012 Fisker Karma is officially rated by the EPA at 52 MPGe and 20 miles per gallon when its battery runs out of juice. In addition, the plug-in boasts 32 miles of electric-only range. Though these numbers can feel disappointing, there's a reason for the Karma's less than stellar EPA numbers. 5,300 reasons, to be exact.

In its sixth annual analysis, the European Federation for Transport and Environment found that Volvo led all European automakers in CO2 emissions reductions in 2010. The analysis shows that the Swedish automaker reduced its European fleet-wide emissions by nine percent in 2010, while most other automakers slashed their emissions by only two to six percent.

Mazda Motor says "real-world" fuel-efficiency will be one of its core attributes as the Japanese automaker seeks to lift U.S. sales volume some 74 percent by 2015. Don't worry though, 'cause zoom-zoom will remain Mazda's number one raison d'etre.

Japanese automaker Honda will roll out the production version of the 2013 Fit EV at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show in mid-November. We're guessing Honda's electric-only 2013 Fit will somewhat resemble the automaker's Fit EV Concept, a vehicle which made its debut back at the 2010 LA Auto Show and is pictured above.